The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that it is being deployed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political actors to witch-hunt him for declining to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The commission’s response follows the December 31, 2025 arraignment of Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, alongside three others, over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving $9.7 million in state funds reportedly approved by the governor.

In a statement issued on Friday, the EFCC described the governor’s allegations as “wild” and “far-fetched,” insisting that it operates independently and without political interference.

“The Commission is non-partisan and carries out its mandate without fear or favour,” the statement said, warning that attempts to portray the EFCC as a political tool were “mischievous and condemnable.”

The anti-graft agency also rejected claims that Wike or any political office holder could influence its investigations, describing such assertions as “derogatory” and misleading.

The EFCC recalled that Mohammed had previously faced money laundering charges before assuming office as governor, noting that the case was only stalled by constitutional immunity.

“Who influenced the Commission to investigate and charge him in 2016?” the agency queried.

According to the EFCC, evidence against some Bauchi State officials is already before the court, stressing that Nigerians are free to judge whether the case is driven by political vendetta or the outcome of “painstaking investigation.”

The commission added that Governor Mohammed’s name appeared in the charge because he was the approving authority for the transactions under investigation.

It cautioned against trivialising allegations of terrorism financing, emphasising that it is duty-bound to enforce the law wherever breaches are established.

“It is the height of hypocrisy for opposition politicians to cry persecution whenever one of their own is investigated, yet remain silent when members of the ruling party are charged,” the statement said, noting that the EFCC recently arraigned a senior figure within the ruling party without similar outcry.

The commission urged Governor Mohammed to focus on governing Bauchi State and allow the EFCC to carry out its mandate of sanitising Nigeria’s financial system.